Defendant sentenced to probation in asphalt scam case

A man was sentenced Wednesday for reportedly taking $17,500 from a local man who thought he would be charged only $1,750 for asphalt work.

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The Leavenworth Times - Leavenworth, KS

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Posted Sep. 18, 2013 at 6:06 PM

Posted Sep. 18, 2013 at 6:06 PM

A man was sentenced Wednesday for reportedly taking $17,500 from a local man who thought he was being charged only $1,750 for asphalt work.

Michael E. Gaede Jr., 44, Illinois, was sentenced in Leavenworth County District Court to a year of probation for theft by deception, no valid driver's license, a registration violation and no proof of insurance. He also was ordered to pay $17,500 in restitution, according to County Attorney Todd Thompson.

The charges resulted from an investigation into a reported asphalt scam. Robert Barr was approached in March 2012 by people who were offering to perform asphalt work at his rural Easton residence.

Barr was told the work would cost $1,750. He explained he couldn't write very well, and a member of the crew wrote a check for him. But the check reportedly was for $17,500, according to Assistant County Attorney Sherri Becker.

Gaede cashed the check immediately.

He later pleaded no contest to the charges.

Speaking after court Wednesday, Barr said about a week after the work was performed, grass started growing through the asphalt.

Barr, who is retired, expressed doubt Wednesday that the money he lost will be paid back.

"I'll have to live with it," he said.

Thompson said equipment used by the asphalt crew was seized and will be sold at auction due to action taken by the Kansas Attorney General's Office. Proceeds from the auction will go toward restitution for Barr.